Ice and glacier climbing in Iceland is no child´s play. PIC christine zenino
As is often the case the best things in life are not just often free but dangerous too. That certainly goes for glacier climbing in Iceland.
A German tourist unfortunately fell to his death in Vatnajokull glacier short while ago while exploring an ice cave with a professional guide. Sadly, not the first casualty of this nature in Iceland.[blockquote type=”blockquote_line” align=”right”]There are but two rescue helicopters in the whole country[/blockquote]
What folks MUST bear in mind when faced with glaciers in Iceland is to know when to stop. In this particular case the individual in question was so far up the glacier that it took very efficient rescue teams over two hours just to locate the spot and start the rescue.
Unlike the US or Switzerland where 30 helicopters and 100 ambulances can be sent within seconds that is not the case in Iceland. There are but two rescue helicopters in the whole country and often only one available for sudden rescue. Even if we had all the necessary equipment and manpower a rescue on the largest glacier in Europe is no easy feat.
Glaciers should be feared and treated with utmost respect at all times people. They move, break, melt and harden at any given moment and no guide, no matter how knowledgeable, can predict such things in advance.
[socialwrap align=”left”] [socialicon name=”fb” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”linkedin” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”twitter” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”google” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”rss” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”youtube” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”vimeo” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”pinterest” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”soundcloud” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”instagram” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”flickr” url=”” ][/socialicon] [socialicon name=”email” url=”” ][/socialicon] [/socialwrap]
